City Council Work Session
December 7, 2015
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present included: City Manager James Wheeler, Housing Coordinator Linda White, Public Works Director Mike Perreault, COPSYNC Chief Strategy Officer Mike Sielicki, Lt Dan Buteau, School Business Administrator Bryan Lamirande, School Board Member Lyne Moore, Chris Crooker, Denver NaVaar, and Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun
COPSYNC Grant
Lt Buteau introduced Mr. Sielicki saying that COPSYNC is a software platform to increase school safety. The software is a real time threat alarm system that is funded through a grant for the first year after it goes live. It is in about 135 schools in NH and 852 schools in 13 states nationwide. With this system, law enforcement including local, state and county police are contacted within seconds of a threat. On the school side there is an icon on teachers’ and administrators’ computers and an ap on their phones to report a threat. If a teacher perceives a threat and reports it through the ap, the five closest police officers closest to the scene will be called to the scene. The software is aware of the computer’s location through programming or it can use the
computer’s gps. The responding officers would have a target floorplan with the schematics of the school at their disposal.
Councilor Rozek asked if the system can expand to other buildings and Mr. Sielicki indicated that his company is concentrating on schools; however once the system is in place, how it is used is up to the community. On the school side, the system will tell those inside the school that law enforcement knows what’s going on and it tells them who is coming.
There is also the ability for two way chat to share information. Mayor Grenier confirmed the cost which is $1,800 per campus and $120 per terminal. The first year is covered by grant at no cost using training for soft match. Lt. Buteau noted that there is no commitment to go on beyond the first year. There is no cost for the school personnel to have the ap on their cell phones.
Councilor Gentili confirmed that officers employed by Berlin would get the notifications. The Sheriff’s Office would need to be on the program to be fully notified. Bryan Lamirande asked if the ap is easily removed if a faculty member is no longer employed. Mr. Sielicki stated that activating and deactivating can be done easily and quickly.
Sewer Pipe Action
Mr. Wheeler noted that the sewer pipe action on the agenda will be handled by staff and does not need Council action.
Councilor Rozek moved to replace one sewer action with another; Councilor Morgan Allain seconded and the motion carried.
A letter from Kevin Snow regarding a sewer connection at 1886 Riverside Drive was distributed to Council members. Public Works and Mikem Inc. worked together to resolve an issue with a sewer line. Mr. Perreault acknowledged that Mr. Snow will be reimbursed for his expenses.
Northern Pass
Council conceded to the changes to the letter of support for Northern Pass suggested by Councilor Higbee. A vote to sign and send the letter will be held in the Regular Meeting.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A: 3 II (d) the sale of acquisition of real or public property. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Linda White reported that she has had interest from abutters on the land at 32 Corbin St., 108 High St. & 79 Seventh St. She is recommending a minimum bid of $1,000 and the requirement that the lots are merged with the owners’ property. Ms. White also recommended holding 466 Burgess because the City owns several parcels that could be combined into one lot.
Councilor Rozek moved to offer for sale to abutters 32 Corbin St., 108 High St. and 79 Seventh St.; Councilor Higbee seconded. Before a vote was taken, Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to withdraw the motion. The vote will be held in public session. Ms. White left the meeting at this time.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to seal the minutes of a land matter discussion involving BIDPA until the transaction is complete as releasing them would render the action taken ineffective. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Council met under RSA 91-A:2 I(b) Collective Bargaining.
There being no further business in Work Session, Mayor Grenier moved on to the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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